Commentary
California’s economy is just limping along. Why is Newsom always boasting?
California's unemployment rate remains among the nation's highest, while the state struggles to build homes and grow its labor force.
No clear frontrunner for governor, but new poll names five with the best shot
A poll shows three Democrats and two Republicans have voter support percentages in the teens. The top two vote-getters in June will face off in November.
She spent six of her last years in arbitration with her HMO. Her husband’s still fighting the system
Arbitrators in medical disputes are supposed to be unbiased, but this couple suspected there is an incentive to favor HMO’s in arbitration.
A former political ally tests LA liberals’ allegiance to Mayor Karen Bass
Mayor Karen Bass isn't vulnerable on her right, but she may be on her left, as City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialist and ex-supporter, runs against her.
California promised accountability for inmate deaths in jails. A year later, no results.
Lawmakers passed a law creating a state department to review inmate deaths, but it hasn’t completed a single death review in its first year.
Yousef Baig
California Voices Editor
Denise Amos
California Voices Deputy Editor
Dan Walters
Columnist
Jim Newton
Contributor
Pedro Rios
Contributor
Robert Greene
Contributor
Commentary
Los Angeles County’s chief executive will be one of California’s most powerful political gigs
A minor miracle occurred when Los Angeles County voters last year approved several governance reforms, including creating an elected county executive, a position that would be second in California's real-world power only to governor.
Commentary
How mortgage lenders are impeding Californians from rebuilding fire-torn LA
As Los Angeles-area fire victims navigate layers of bureaucracy to rebuild their homes, some are having their insurance settlements seized by mortgage lenders, adding new barriers at a moment when delays lead to higher recovery costs.
Reader Reactions
Disrupted California dementia research shows why studies deserve better protections
After misapplied DEI cuts disrupted and almost derailed Alzheimer's research at UC Davis, a researcher at the school says this type of work deserves better protection.
Commentary
Newsom tussles with local officials over homelessness
As Newsom and legislators fashion a new state budget, verbal exchanges between him and local officials about who is to blame have become sharper.
Commentary
Angelenos agree MacArthur Park needs help. The reliance on police is where they differ
Mayor Karen Bass and the LAPD represent one approach to the MacArthur Park restoration effort. But as a raft of new issues emerge, activists and other leaders are pointing to strategies that address more fundamental issues.
Commentary
California’s war over charter schools rages on in court
Los Angeles Unified School District wants to "avoid" charter schools taking over several hundred district buildings. A judge may decide if that's legal.
Commentary
Why did the California Senate shunt a cost-cutting housing bill?
The California Senate appeared to double down on making housing development more difficult and costly, shunting a bill aimed at making it easier to build housing by exempting some projects from the California Environmental Quality Act.
Commentary
After years of undrinkable water, our rural California community finally has hope
Hundreds of water systems in California are failing; many serve disadvantaged communities and people of color. The state can help but its resources are limited.
Commentary
California’s high living costs and high poverty sharpen its economic divide
California went from being a state with high economic mobility and opportunity to a society starkly separated by wealth, income and race.